Yorkshire Carnegie have confirmed that Head Coach James Lowes has left the club by mutual agreement with immediate effect.

Lowes re-joined the club two years ago as assistant to Bryan Redpath before becoming Head Coach again last summer.

A former Great Britain Rugby league international, Lowes enjoyed an impressive debut season in 2013-14 with Carnegie in his first Head Coach role in Rugby Union creating an exciting brand of rugby for home supporters.

He was tempted back to League to take up the helm at his former club Bradford Bulls, where he had won every honour as a player, however, he returned to Yorkshire Carnegie in 2016 as assistant to Bryan Redpath and took over the reins last season from the former Scotland international.

Carnegie finished sixth last season in the Greene King IPA Championship and Lowes and the club have now decided to part company ahead of the start of pre-season for the new campaign.

Newly appointed Director of Rugby Chris Stirling will lead the rugby side of the business moving ahead with Forwards Coach Steve Boden promoted to Head Coach for the new season.

Commenting on the decision Lowes said, I would like to thank the staff, players and supporters at Yorkshire Carnegie for their efforts during my time in charge. I have had two very enjoyable years since coming back to the club and will always keep an interest in the team. I was proud of the players last season for what they achieved in tough circumstances at times and I wish them all the very best for next season.

Director of Rugby Chris Stirling added, On behalf of everyone connected with Yorkshire Carnegie, I would like to thank Jimmy for his commitment and dedication to the club throughout both his spells here. Our preparations for a big campaign in the Greene King IPA Championship season are well underway now and we are looking forward to that challenge.

Think it was in that YP interview that Chris Stirling said he was just about to start speaking to Jimmy an Steve Boden about the way forward. Guess Jimmy either didn't like what he heard or didn't like not being the main man again.

Either way I loved Jimmy's no nonsense style with the media and wish him all the best.

I have never been a big fan of J-Lo. The writing was on the wall when all the new forwards said they were looking forward to working with Bo & failing to mention Jimmy.. Also Stirling 's wording in his interview was quite guarded.

Big opportunity for Steve Boden. I think he will rise to the occasion.

Wish Jimmy all the best. If they can get Steve the right people around him it could be a good move. We didn't hear move from Jimmy back end of the season did we?
Got to trust in Stirling and hope the club support him in pushing us on.
Any names for an offensive/backs coach?

Yeah, I never like to see a bloke lose his job and I really liked the way Jimmy responded to a question with a straight answer. The attacking rugby we played in his first spell was sublime at times.

This certainly isn't the end of the world though. He, along with every other Head Coach we've had since relegation, has conspicuously failed to instil that hard, professional edge to the squad which, imho, would've seen us promoted the year we played Welsh in the semis.

As I said before I wish Jimmy all the best, but change is a good thing in this case I think.

Never been a Jimmy fan I'm afraid. As I said at the time, on the first occassion he became head coach he inherited a squad from Diccon Edwards that was ready to go places anyway. Just a shame DE wasn't allowed allowed to finish the job. I'd take indifferent man management any day over what we have had since.

By the way, if anyone wants to have a listen to the interview with Gareth Jones it is currently available at Radio Leeds, West Yorkshire Sports Daily (05-06-18. The interview starts at 33mins into the hour long programme. (sorry, I don't know how to do the linky bit).

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